Batting - Footwork

FOOTWORK
Good footwork is a major part of successful batting techniques as it makes it easier for the batsman to play. By moving forward towards the ball with the front foot, or back and away from the pitch of the ball with the back foot, the batsman is able to adjust the length to suit the shots, for example, a front-foot drive or a backward defensive stroke. Good footwork can combat the bowler's attempt to make the batsman uncomfortable by pitching the ball where it is difficult to hit.
Training activities should include front-foot drives, where the batsman can easily reach the bounce of the ball, front-foot defensive strokes, where the cannot be easily reached with a forward step and a defensive stroke is played for safety.
Back-foot strokes can then be introduced and refined. The back-foot defensive stroke is played to a ball that is well pitched but too short to play comfortably on the front foot. By stepping back to cover the stumps, the batsman can wait for the ball to come to him/her and to play a defensive stroke.
If the ball is pitched a little shorter, there is more time for the batsman to judge the bounce and pace of the ball and it may be possible to drive this delivery more power than can be applied with the defensive stroke. This should be practiced using balls through to targets to enable the batsman to drive the ball off the back foot, as target areas. Once these batting activities have been practiced, the perception and judgment aspect of batting must be introduced and practiced.

JUDGMENT OF LENGTH DECISION- MAKING

For a ball landing over the line, step FORWARD with the front foot to play the ball

For the ball landing short of the line, step BACK with the back foot to play the ball

For the ball landing on a good length, the batsman should take quick decision to play forward or backward, if the ball comes off side the batsman step forward to play the ball. If the ball comes leg side or near body, the batsman step backward to play the ball. 

FRONT-FOOT STROKES

PRINCIPLE AND OBJECTIVES OF FRONT-FOOT STROKE

When playing a front-foot stroke, the batsman should:

Track the ball and rely on the senses to guide his/her movement

Make sure the head moves to the line of the ball, closer to the point of contact

Move the front-foot towards the pitch of the ball, in the direction of the stroke

Ensure the hands are in front of the ball at impact

Hit through the line of the ball, with the top hand guiding the direction

If not taking off for a run, finish with the weight on the front foot, with the back toe on the ground, to maintain balance through the stroke

ATTACKING STROKES

When playing a front-foot stroke, the batsman should:

Track the ball and rely on the senses to guide his/her movement

Make sure the head moves to the line of the ball, closer to the point of contact

Move the front-foot towards the pitch of the ball, in the direction of the stroke

Hit through the line of the ball, with the top hand guiding the direction

Ensure the hands are in front of the ball at impact

If not taking off for a run, finish with the weight on the front foot, with the back toe on the ground, to maintain balance through the stroke

FRONT-FOOT DEFENSIVE STROKE

Relying on your senses, if you judge the ball as a good length ball the head and hands should be over the ball at impact. Stop the shot at the point of impact- 'feel' the ball on the bat and let it come to you.

BACK-FOOT STROKES

PRINCIPLE AND OBJECTIVES OF BACK-FOOT STROKE

When playing a front-foot stroke, the batsman should:

Track the ball and rely on the senses to guide his/her movement

Use the back-foot move to provide a better platform from which to hit the ball and protect the wicket

Move in line with the ball back across to the line of the ball on the middle and off stump and just outside the off; back and across to move inside the line of the ball on or outside the leg stump

Wait for the ball to come to you, particularly in defensive stroke; 'feel' the ball on the bat and let it come to you; direct the ball to space for a single, if possible

Brace against a firm body for vertical- bat attacking strokes on the back foot

Open body for horizontal-bat strokes to short balls. The back foot turns to face down the pitch, to achieve this more open position.

BACK-FOOT ATTACKING STROKES - PULL SHOT

Relying on your senses, if you judge the ball as short of a length, move the back foot back and across to open up your body. Hit down on the ball, swinging from high to low, and watch the ball onto the bat.

BACK-FOOT DEFENSIVE STROKE

Relying on your senses, if you judge the ball as short of a good length, step back and across and let the ball come to you. The head and hands should be over the ball at impact. Stop the shot at the point of impact and let the ball drop in front of you.

Keeping practicing regularly.